LES Lit: Shteyngart & Rakoff at the Educational Alliance

The Lo-Down is looking forward to co-sponsoring an upcoming event at the Educational Alliance: “LES Lit,” an evening with authors Gary Shteyngart and Joanna Smith Rakoff. The November 17th reading and discussion is a great opportunity to get to know two accomplished writers who have lived on (and been inspired by) the Lower East Side.

Shteyngart recently published Super Sad True Love Story, a futuristic novel set in a “completely bankrupt, illiterate America where books are ‘smelly and annoying’ and no one reads them.” Last summer, we sat down with the author to talk about his latest work (which happens to be very funny) and his life on the LES. Shteyngart had just moved out of an apartment in the Grand Street coops but can still be found sidling up to the bar at Clandestino on a regular basis.

Rakoff is the author of “A Fortunate Age,” last year’s compelling portrayal of a group of friends coping with post-collegiate life in late 1990’s New York, before the internet bubble burst. Next week, we’ll be featuring our interview with Rakoff, also a Grand Street resident. She and Shteyngart have known each other since their college years.

We’re looking forward to an interesting and entertaining evening on the 17th (7pm), at the Educational Alliance, 197 East Broadway. Pre-registration is open until November 15th by calling 646-395-4270 or emailing: dccreg@edalliance.org. More info available on the Education Alliance’s web site. Tickets cost $12.